At the Hangzhou 2022 Asian Para Games, athletes have performed incredible feats and made history at the region’s largest multi-sport event this year.
Since October 22, more than 3,000 athletes from 44 National Paralympic Committees (NPCs) are competing in 22 sports in the fourth edition of the Asian Para Games, one of the biggest events for Para athletes in the region.
And with Paris 2024 just 10 months away, the battle for Paralympic qualification has never been more intense. Some athletes see the event in the eastern Chinese city as a big test before Paris to see where they are a year before the world event. Others see the Asian Para Games as an opportunity to share the attractions of their sport or to develop the level of competition in their countries and regions.
Test for Paris
According to Indian Paralympic champion Pramod Bhagat, the Games were not only an opportunity to accumulate points towards Paris 2024 qualification but also a much-needed occasion for his young doubles partner to experience playing on a big stage.
Bhagat won the men’s singles SL3 in Para badminton’s Paralympic debut at Tokyo 2020. He now also hopes to play in the French capital next year with 18-year-old Manisha Ramadass in the mixed doubles SL3-SU5 event.
“As we are third in the Paris 2024 rankings, the Games are really important for us because if we get more points and win a medal, it will be better for our ranking,” Bhagat said. “My partner is young, so I hope she can get more exposure (to big tournaments) so she can perform better in Paris.”
Indian Pramod Bhagat is the SL3 Paralympic Para badminton Champion. In Hangzhou, he also played mixed doubles with Manisha Ramadass. @BWF
Since taking up the sport 20 years ago, Bhagat has seen Para badminton grow in Asia, especially after the sport was introduced at the Paralympic Games. At Tokyo 2020, players from Asia swept 13 of the 14 gold medals up for grabs.
“The level is very high. In the last two years I have seen that we have grown a lot. It is definitely not easy for the next (Paralympic Games) 2024, but we will do a good job and we are working hard,” said Bhagat.
The pair lost in the semi-finals against Indonesia’s Hikmat Ramdani and Leani Ratri Oktila on October 25. Still, Ramadass, Bhagat’s doubles partner, said the Asian Para Games are a great opportunity to play against the best in the world.
“In Para badminton, Asian countries have a lot of competitions, compared to other places. (The Asian Para Games) are a mini Paralympic Games for us,” he said. “I am very proud to play my first Asian Para Games, and I am really learning a lot here.”
Battle for the squares of Paris 2024
Even before Japanese table tennis player Kanami Furukawa began her campaign at the Hangzhou 2022 Asian Para Games, she knew that any player has what it takes to win the tournament.
The level of competition in Asia has been growing, and with the ticket to the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games at stake, each and every athlete was ready to climb to the top of the podium.
“Everyone has been preparing to get the ticket to Paris 2024. Asia has many powers in sport and there are so many great athletes. It is not surprising that anyone wins,” Furukawa said after her first match in the women’s singles 11 category. from Hangzhou.
Twelve table tennis tables were set up at the GSP Gymnasium, where Asia’s best players thrilled the crowd with their forehands and deadly serves. At Hangzhou 2022, the winner of each individual event obtained a place for Paris 2024.
“I’ve never played in front of so many people, so I’m surprised. I’m glad people are interested in Para sports,” Furukawa said. On October 25 she lost in the semifinals against Chinese Wong Ting Ting, bronze medalist at Tokyo 2020.
Local star Mao Jingdian won the Class 9 women’s singles tournament, beating Kim Kun-hea of the Republic of Korea on her way to qualifying for the Paralympic Games.
“I think it’s incredible for me, because before I thought: ‘If I make it to the final, nothing happens. Maybe a little money will be good for me.” So today is incredible,” Mao said. “In Paris, if I can show myself, it will be enough.”
Mao Jingdian won the gold in the S9 singles competition in the 2022 Asian Para Games. @Asian Para Games
New sport, greater recognition
At Hangzhou 2022, Para taekwondo and Para canoe were introduced for the first time at the Asian Para Games, allowing athletes to showcase their sport to more people in Asia and increase recognition of the sports.
At the Paralympic Games, Para taekwondo was included in the sports program for the first time in Tokyo 2020. Para canoeing was added in Rio 2016.
The day after a dazzling Opening Ceremony, the Chinese Para taekwondo athlete Shao Qian fought an incredible fight against the Mongolian Surenjav Ulambayar in the women’s K44 -52kg category.
“Taekwondo is not a well-known sport, so we have to try to make it known. The Asian Para Games are a wonderful opportunity to raise awareness and let everyone know that people with disabilities can also participate in other things” , said.
“I feel very excited. I am very happy to be able to join Para taekwondo in its debut at the Asian Para Games,” she added. “I think it’s a great opportunity for people to see our strength, for people to see the struggles that we have.”
Hangzhou 2022 will close on October 28. Aichi-Nagoya 2026, in Japan, will be the next iteration of the Asian Para Games.
The first edition was also held in China, in 2010
2023-10-25 18:15:45
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